MGC to conduct medical cannabis driving trials

MGC Pharmaceuticals is set to kick off a controlled trial to discover if its medical cannabis product for the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy has any impact on driving performance.

This trial is aimed at providing sufficient evidence to impact legislation in favour of permitting patients taking medical cannabis products to drive.

Individuals taking medical cannabis products are currently not permitted to drive as roadside testing is unable to differentiate between legal and illegal use.

Additionally, the trial will provide safety data required for the European Medicines Agency and Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration product registration.

The trial is being carried out in conjunction with the Swinburne University of Technology and Australian medical cannabis distributor Cannvalate.

Recruitment of 30 test individuals will begin in the fourth quarter of this year once all import/export permits that the company is seeking are granted.

MGC’s product is a 20:1 cannabidiol to tetrahydrocannabinol compound formula that is authorised for prescription as an Investigational Medicinal Product in both Australia and the UK.

Managing Director Roby Zomer said: “We are hoping this trial will clearly demonstrate that it is safe to drive while on CannEpil while collecting safety data required for registration by the EMA and TGA.”

“It has been documented that a key reason for individuals in Australia to decline cannabis products for medical purposes that may benefit them is that it would inhibit them from driving.”

NB: This article is for general financial markets news purposes only and is not to be taken as an endorsement of, or advertisement for any individual product, medicine or drug.